75HellerRomanTimeMachine

Final Project.
http://nms.ed.voicethread.com/share/4028073/
Notes

The choice was always open to debate between the old emperor, the Senate, the Praetorian Guard (the emperor's private army), and the army. Gradually, the Praetorian Guard gained complete authority to choose the new emperor, who rewarded the guard who then became more influential, perpetuating the cycle.
Then in 186 A. D. the army strangled the new emperor, the practice began of selling the throne to the highest bidder. During the next 100 years, Rome had 37 different emperors - 25 of whom were removed from office by assassination.
The temptation to buy the votes of citizens that brought the power was much greater than the fear of legal sanctions. This form of corruption was manifested especially in the case of consuls. The representatives of authorities were making the contacts, conducting the negotiations and sharing the final gains.
Politicians were willing to use all methods to achieve their objectives, including the creation of paramilitary organizations designed to act on their orders.
Political corruption in ancient Rome was manifested through organized violence. In the assembly of the people, where the important decisions were made, ordinary citizens could not speak, but could at least inform themselves, hearing the magistrates and senators’ statements at various debates.
Political corruption also manifested by the adoption of laws that apparently were benefiting the population, but in reality they were aimed at creating a strong social base in order to maintain the heads of government who have those laws, but also to increase the wealth of people policies.
The government of Rome gradually evolved, as did the citizen’s opinion on dictatorship. The Senate became corrupt with many Patricians being easily bribed. Almost all of the power belonged to a distinct few.
The dictator accumulates a number of features that enhance his strength and open the way for abuses against any citizen.

Citation
"Political Corruption in Ancient Rome." Whatafy RSS. Whatafy, 2011. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.
Pastirikova, Zuzana. "Fall of the Roman Empire." Rome.info , Decline of Ancient Rome. Pro Region Slovakia, S.r.o., 2003. Web. 14 Jan. 2013

"The Corruption of Power in Rome." Online Essays Com RSS. Online Essays, n.d. Web. 15

Jan. 2013.

"Political Corruption in the United States and Around the Globe." The Brookings Institution. The Brookings Institution, 28 Apr. 2004. Web. 17 Jan. 2013

Brandon, Alex. "New Orleans Cracks down on Corruption - USATODAY.com." New Orleans Cracks down on Corruption - USATODAY.com. USA Today, 29 Dec. 2007. Web. 17 Jan. 2013.

Problems Today
- Political parties and the legislature are the two most bribed areas in government that lead to corruption
- Policymakers in the United States and around the world have employed legal regimes and oversight mechanisms to ensure free and fair elections and impartial conduct in public office, but most of the efforts have been problematic. Two essential elements of reform—transparency and disclosure—are not widespread, and where they are, attempts to circumvent them are raising concerns.
- The prime methods of corruption against local businesses include pressure to hire politically connected contractors, the hiring of "ghost employees" who are nothing more than a paycheck from a business and direct payoff demands from government officials for business or zoning changes.
- Between $1 trillion and $1.6 trillion dollars are lost globally each year to illegal activities, according to World Bank estimates. Corruption decreases the amount of wealth in a country and lowers the standard of living. Corruption affects you even if you don't come into direct contact with it.
- Corruption in political finance takes many forms, ranging from vote buying and the use of illicit funds to the sale of appointments and the abuse of state resources.
- Favoring relatives (nepotism) or personal friends (cronyism) of an official is a form of illegitimate private gain. This may be combined with bribery, for example demanding that a business should employ a relative of an official controlling regulations affecting the business. The most extreme example is when the entire state is inherited
- Politicians have little chance of getting caught: A lack of accountability comes when there is little transparency (for example, public officials who don't explain what they are doing, how and why), and weak enforcement (law agencies who don't impose sanctions on power holders who violate their public duties).
- Corruption generally isn't a result of some new young employee, but rather, older employees that have a very clear understanding of the system, which is required in order to circumvent a system. Corruption requires time to get to know the system and the players and how these things function together. Therefore, corruption usually occurs from older employees who have gained the knowledge of how the system functions and in some cases are those responsible for creating the very system they are using to commit fraud.
Conversation with Dr. David Darrow

Hello Dr. Darrow,

We are seventh grade students at Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati, Ohio. We would greatly appreciate if you could answer some questions we have on Government Corruption in the Roman time period as well as today. We saw that you are an expert on empires and some fields of important political issues. Could we please ask you some questions about our topic, Government Corruption?
- How would a government handle a corrupt leader or group of people?
- What could an average citizen do to stop a corrupt leader?
- Why would business leaders be corrupt if they have money from their business?
Thank you for your time and consideration,

Kirk and Hanson

Kirk M